Members of the Jain community staged a major protest in Mumbai on Saturday following the demolition of a Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The temple, located inside the Neminath Cooperative Housing Society, was razed on April 16, with the civic body claiming it was unauthorized. However, the community has called the action “unwarranted” and is demanding accountability.
The protest march began around 9:30 AM from Vile Parle and made its way toward the BMC’s K/East ward office in Andheri East. It saw active participation from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Jain religious leaders.
#WATCH | Thousands Of Jains Join Mega Ahimsa Rally To Oppose Demolition Of 90-Year-Old Temple By BMC@vssalman007 @dhairyagajara #BMC #Mumbai #MumbaiNews #Jain #vileparle #ahimsa pic.twitter.com/VvynoRopOa
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) April 19, 2025
Demands for suspension and reconstruction
Protesters are calling on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take immediate action, including suspending the officials involved, especially Vanath Ghadge, the ward officer of the K/East division. They also want the temple to be rebuilt at the original location.
Claims of damage to religious items
Anil Shah, trustee of the demolished temple, stated that the structure dated back to the 1960s and had even undergone renovation with BMC’s permission. Shah added that the temple had submitted the necessary documents for regularization as per a Government Resolution.
He alleged that sacred texts and religious items were damaged during the demolition and accused municipal staff of throwing these items onto the road. Shah further claimed the demolition may have been influenced by a local hotelier’s interests.
Despite pleas from religious leaders to delay demolition until the temple’s contents were removed, the civic authorities went ahead, citing a court order. However, the Bombay High Court has now issued a stay on further demolition until afternoon.
